Northern Cyprus: Construction

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the rate of building on Greek Cypriot-owned land in northern Cyprus  (a) before and  (b) after the rejection of the Annan plan; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: The Government have not estimated the number of properties that have been built or which are under construction in northern Cyprus. However, property development in northern Cyprus has clearly accelerated since the rejection of the Annan plan, resulting in large numbers of new properties being built. The Government are concerned at the scale of such construction on Greek Cypriot owned land in northern Cyprus. Our high commission in Nicosia regularly raises the issue of property development with the Turkish Cypriot leadership. We believe that the difficult and complex issue of property is only likely to be fully resolved in the context of a comprehensive settlement and we urge both sides to engage constructively with the United Nations to enable settlement negotiations to start as soon as possible.
	In our contacts with the Turkish Cypriot leadership, we recognise the Turkish Cypriots' need for economic development in support of reunification. But we urge them to ensure that any property development which does take place does so in a manner that is both environmentally sustainable and does not complicate an eventual solution.

Northern Cyprus: Economic Situation

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the ability of the Turkish Cypriot economy to comply with standards required by the EU acquis communitaire; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: The Government have not made such an assessment. The history of the EU demonstrates the power of trade to promote economic prosperity and political reconciliation. The preliminary findings of the World Bank report from 2006 on the economy in northern Cyprus, were that the external constraints on access to EU markets for the Turkish Cypriot community were one of the two biggest constraints to economic development in northern Cyprus. I would endorse the conclusion that the long-term welfare of all Cypriots is in jeopardy if steps are not taken to ensure the convergence of living standards on the island. That is why we remain committed to supporting the Turkish Cypriots and the EU Commission in economic and regulatory reform, particularly through the aid regulation, and to supporting the EU presidency in its efforts to find a way for the Turkish Cypriots to trade directly with the EU.

Northern Cyprus: Migration

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the rate of migration from Turkey to the north of Cyprus  (a) before and  (b) after the rejection of the Annan plan; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: The Government do not have specific data concerning the rate of migration from Turkey to the north of Cyprus before and after the rejection of the Annan plan.
	However, a Turkish Cypriot census in April 2006 indicated that roughly 40 per cent. of the population of northern Cyprus is of Turkish or Turkish-mixed origin. This figure includes temporary workers and students but excludes soldiers and their families.

Turkey: Foreign Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the strategic partnership with Turkey on UK relations with  (a) Greece and  (b) Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: The Republic of Cyprus and Greece have raised concerns and sought clarification about the strategic partnership document. We have reassured them that the UK remains fully committed to the reunification of the island and fully supportive of the 8 July 2006 process.
	In my statement published on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website on 31 October at:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1193598399882
	I emphasised in the strongest terms that there is no change to our policy on the non-recognition of the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus", and that the UK's priority is progress towards reunification, as envisaged by the 8 July Agreement. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, following his meeting with Foreign Minister Bakoyannis on 6 November, reiterated this position.
	The concerns expressed by the Republic of Cyprus and Greece show that, while we share the same strategic objective of reunifying Cyprus, there are honestly held differences of opinion on how to achieve this. We continue to discuss all such differences of opinion.
	Both the Republic of Cyprus and Greece share the UK's desire of Turkish accession to the EU. Greece and the UK continue to support the 8 July process towards achieving a unified Cyprus. The UK shares many vital interests with both countries, and its bilateral relations with both countries are, as ever, very important.

Turkey: Foreign Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance has  (a) been given and  (b) is planned to be given to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus authorities and universities in relation to their engagement with the Bologna process as referred to in the Strategic Partnership Agreement with Turkey; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: Officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are in contact with Turkish Cypriot academics on how to raise Turkish Cypriot educational standards. These contacts have sought to promote an exchange of ideas between educational establishments on practical issues. The aim is to ensure Turkish Cypriot universities are able to maintain standards comparable with those institutions that are members of the Bologna process.

Turkey: Foreign Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reference there is in the Strategic Partnership Agreement with Turkey to  (a) building on Greek-Cypriot-owned land in Northern Cyprus,  (b) migration from Turkey to Northern Cyprus,  (c) the Turkish military presence in Cyprus,  (d) implementation of the EU customs union agreement in Cyprus,  (e) the UN process on Cyprus with particular reference to the 2006 Gambari agreement; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: The Strategic Partnership reflects the breadth of co-operation between the UK and Turkish Governments. The agreement is not, however, designed to be an exhaustive reflection of our policy towards Cyprus. The document emphasises our primary goal of a comprehensive and enduring Cyprus settlement, which would address many of the issues referred to. Our policy is to continue to support the 8 July Process, which I reiterated in my 31 October statement published on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1193598399882
	The Government's position remains that Turkey must implement all its obligations to the EU, including those in relation to Cyprus, such as normalisation of relations and the implementation of the Ankara Agreement Protocol.

Turkey: Foreign Relations

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he made to Turkey over the military occupation of northern Cyprus when negotiating the Strategic Partnership Agreement of 23 October; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: The UK/Turkey Strategic Partnership Agreement focuses on the long-term strategic objectives between Turkey and the UK. Regarding the presence of Turkish troops in northern Cyprus, UK Ministers have called for a goodwill gesture from Turkey in the form of a troop reduction, in order to build trust on the island.
	The question of how to provide security for both communities is a central issue that will need to be addressed in the course of negotiations to achieve a comprehensive settlement. This underlines the importance of the rapid implementation of the 8 July process, to prepare the ground for fully fledged settlement negotiations.